Short Takes

Shirke letter to Lodha

Calcutta: BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke has responded to Justice RM Lodha committee's directive of putting the elections of the state associations on hold, saying "the BCCI is not empowered under any law to stop any electoral process which is mandated by any statute." According to a report in a cricket-specific website, Shirke, after consulting the BCCI's legal experts, addressed the letter to Lodha committee's secretary Gopal Shankarnarayanan, saying that stopping the elections of state associations was not within the legal jurisdiction or authority of the Board. The BCCI working committee will discuss implementation of the panel's report in Mumbai on Tuesday ahead of Friday's SGM.

CPL ties

Calcutta: The Trinbago Knight Riders have finished the group stages of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a win over the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots to give themselves a much needed confidence boost, going into their play-off match against the St Lucia Zouks on Thursday. In another match, the Zouks continued their winning form, beating Jamaica Tallawahs for the second time in two days.

Costa future

London: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is uncertain about the future of Diego Costa, as Spanish media reports have linked the striker with a possible return to Atletico Madrid. "Today, Costa is Chelsea's player. Tomorrow if you ask me if Costa will remain with us, I don't know," Conte said.

Replacement

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil have called on uncapped goalkeeper Weverton to replace Fernando Prass after the Palmeiras player was ruled out of the Rio Olympics with an elbow injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said later on Sunday.

Tennis meet

AAI plan

Calcutta: Archery Association of India (AAI) has decided to start a league for the target sport on the lines of other sports like football, kabaddi and badminton. Anil Kamineni, the AAI secretary general, said that the association is considering starting its own league to promote the ancient sport. <>

Colts win

Marlow: India's junior men's hockey team lost 1-2 to England in a tough encounter at the Bisham Abbey Sports Academy here. Ajay Yadav scored the only goal for the Indians.